R.P. Infantino | Short Stories | I Found a Philip Roth Book at a Dollar Store

R.P. Infantino is a published writer of essays, poetry, short stories, novellas, songs, and more.

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•Business As Usual •I Found a Philip Roth Book at a Dollar Store
•A Delusional Christmas •The Emperor and the Sage •Wonders For Sale
•A Love Just Like You •Gianna and the Ogre

The World Series of College Baseball
by R.P. Infantino

Iit's a picture perfect day here at Schafer Stadium where two of the top teams are going head-to-head at the World Series of College Baseball. It’s the bottom of the ninth, score is tied seven-seven with the University of New Your at bat, California University takes the field. New York needs one run to clinch the World Series title. If not, we go into extra innings. Pitching for California is the speed-baller William Hall with thirteen strikeouts this game. California is not going with a closer hoping Hall can end this inning with no runs. The lineup at bat this inning for New York is George Prescot, Edward Bayles, Anthony Taranto, and Vincent Walker.

Prescot approaches the plate, Hall lets a slider burn down for a ball. Prescott is one for four tonight with a .157 average for post-season. Oh, a 98-mile an hour fastball that Hall didn’t see for strike one. Prescott is still on fire after nine plus innings. A change-up and Hall gets a piece of it to right field where California’s Bradford makes the catch for the first out. Bayles is up next who has a single, walk, and two outs tonight. He lets the first pitch go for a strike. Bayles checks signs from the third base coach, readies himself at the plate and takes an outsider for strike two. California’s catcher Reade calls a time out and jogs to the mound probably to give Hall some encouraging words since he’s doing yeoman’s work tonight. Reade returns and Hall throws another scorcher, this time Bayles gets a piece of it over the infield for a base hit. Taranto up next whose three for four tonight is tops for New York. He boasts a .357 in regulation play, and impressive .450 post-season. Let’s see how he does against the beast Hall after throwing for nine and a half innings. First pitch, inside for a ball. Taranto takes a step back to check signs from the third base coach. He readies himself. Second pitch, also inside for a ball. Hall is trying to put a fright into Taranto but Taranto’s not budging. Just on the outside for ball three. Taranto’s had a good eye all season. Hall turns down two signs from Reade. And the pitch, a fast ball. Taranto catches a piece of it and soars into right field. Bayles is rounding second. Taranto is given the go-ahead. Bayles is putting on the speed past third. Will he make it? The throw from right field is strong. Oh! Bayles is out at home with Taranto safe at third. For those just tuning in, we’re at the bottom of the ninth, tied at seven each for the World Series of College Baseball championships. Two out, New York runner at third. Walker is up for New Your and I have to say, he’s had a bad series post-season. 0 for 4 tonight. As the New York manager, I’d have moved him father down the line-up and put Taranto, a stronger hitter, in better position, considering his outstanding regular and post-season. Hall readies himself. First pitch on the outside but Walker swings away for strike one. Taranto at third chats with the third base coach. Takes a big lead. Another pitch on the outside which Walker takes for strike two. I know Walker’s looking to bring Taranto home but with a better eye and patience, he’d be at 2 and 0 right now. Taranto at third is still taking a big lead, most likely to distract Hall at the mound. Here’s the wind up and – oh, my! Taranto is stealing home! Quite a chance but he’s go the speed. Hall quickly fires it to Reade. It’s close. Taranto slides head first, angled out to avoid the tag. Reade’s got the ball, sweeps his arm, did he tag in time? The ump makes the call. SAFE! Taranto safe at home clinching it for New York. What a chance Taranto took stealing home. Who does that? He saw Walker ready to strike out and didn’t want to be left standing at third going into extra innings. His timing was perfect. At the end of Hall’s wind-up, he took off knowing Hall’s momentum back would slow him down in getting the ball home. Whether Taranto got the okay from the third base coach or if he took that chance on his own, we’ll find out in the post-game interview. What a play! What a series! The University of New York beats California University for the World Series of College Baseball. And now New York’s got Taranto on their shoulders chanting, “Ant-nee! Ant-nee! Ant-nee!” Oh! And here comes the Gatorade bucket! Oh, my ! A green bath on the back of Anthony Taranto. What an unforgettable series. This is Phil Rooney for Fox Sports. Philip Roth is not rolling over in his grave one bit. He foresaw this decline long before its arrival. I’m just glad he didn’t give up writing books before the public gave up reading them.